Thread: Starting to look like a car.

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Wow, I wish my project was at that point. Want to trade?

The door handles are a little lower and to the rear of the stock location. It apparently was necessary in order to clear the bearclaw door locks. They take up more room than Henry's originals.

I would have shaved the doors, but Virginia requires outside door handles. I guess they need to save me if there's a problem. Odd, though. Most new cars have the doors lock automatically when you start moving. The outside door handles do no good on a new car, but they require them for inspection.

Originally Posted by Henry Rifle

The door handles are a little lower and to the rear of the stock location. It apparently was necessary in order to clear the bearclaw door locks. They take up more room than Henry's originals.

I would have shaved the doors, but Virginia requires outside door handles. I guess they need to save me if there's a problem. Odd, though. Most new cars have the doors lock automatically when you start moving. The outside door handles do no good on a new car, but they require them for inspection.

That sounds like one of those crazy OLD laws from back in the day. It should be pettitioned to strike it from the law books. Like you said, makes no sence nowadays! Yours still look great! 34 fords have always been my favorite and Ive built several in the past thats why I even noticed. Most proly wont even see the differance.

Don,

I didn't channel the car. Gibbon did. I would not have done it the way they did - but I was stuck with it. I would have left the floor flat, which would have given me nice room for little extra touches that you wouldn't ordinarily need - like exhaust pipes.

The garage isn't that orderly. The photo is strategically focused. You can't see all the stuff stored between the car and the wall - or all the stuff behind me - or stuffed under the car. The way they build "Two car garages" in Virginia beach is different than Kansas city. Here, you can get two cars in the garage - if the garage door just misses the back bumper, and you only have two feet between cars or a car and the wall. Lord help you if you build a work bench. I get so sick of moving five things just so I can work on number six.

Oh, and you can drop by any time. If you're travelling down this way, just give me a PM, and I'll send my phone number.

Originally Posted by Henry Rifle

Don,

I didn't channel the car. Gibbon did. I would not have done it the way they did - but I was stuck with it. I would have left the floor flat, which would have given me nice room for little extra touches that you wouldn't ordinarily need - like exhaust pipes.

The garage isn't that orderly. The photo is strategically focused. You can't see all the stuff stored between the car and the wall - or all the stuff behind me - or stuffed under the car. The way they build "Two car garages" in Virginia beach is different than Kansas city. Here, you can get two cars in the garage - if the garage door just misses the back bumper, and you only have two feet between cars or a car and the wall. Lord help you if you build a work bench. I get so sick of moving five things just so I can work on number six.

Oh, and you can drop by any time. If you're travelling down this way, just give me a PM, and I'll send my phone number.

O the tales of Gibbon supplied cars ( am I repeating myself again-sorry)
The idea sounds good, but I guess in real life, Kyle's ideas aren't (weren't?) so great.

I feel especially good about my 35 year old house with a giant 2 car garage that would even hold my old '79 F350 S Cab if I still had it (or my current F150) with room for a 3x8 work bench in front of it and still able to work on it. My wife's Escape would be almost lost on her side if it wasn't full of treasures. And there are still folks around here who leave their vehicles out because of junk.
The newer houses have about enough room for a Toyota Echo or two.

Beautifully done. I especially like the rake and stance...

Chris

I finally got the grille shell painted. I've been fighting weather that keeps turning too cold to paint on the weekends. This weekend, It finally was nice enough to get it done. The real problem with this is that Gibbon cast the stainless bars into the fiberglass. The area where the bars were molded into the 'glass was extremely rough. It looked like he just jammed them in there while the glass was curing and left it that way (surprise!). I tried to get some bondo in there and sand it down, but the bars are so close together it was hopeless. I finally masked off each of the bars - about five hours of work - and sprayed the yellow bc/cc. Then I masked off all of the yellow outside, and painted the inside with satin black. The black hides most of the faults, and at this point, I don't really care. When I was done, it took me almost three hours to get the masking tape off.

While the weather was chilly, I spent my time wiring. I had forgotten how much wiring there is in a simple car with no radio, no heater, no A/C, no dome light, etc. I also forgot how many trips it takes to Home Depot to pick up little electrical parts and pieces. Anyone who tells you their wiring kit is "complete" is lying. I used a Ron Francis Bare Bonz kit, but if I had it to do over again, I'd probably use Painless. I don't particularly like the rear feed of the Painless, but I could live with it. Their kit looks much more complete, and the price is very competative. After I added on all the "stuff" I needed above the Bare Bonz, the cost was higher than the Painless 18-circuit system. Live and learn, I guess.

The last photo is of the license plate mount. Unfortunately, some doofus in Virginia stole the plate that I've had in both Nebraska and Kansas.

Dang, this is a fun hobby . . .

Jack, I feel your pain Bro. You have really done a nice job in spite of having the body issues you have mentioned to overcome. I also understand your comment about "at this point, I really don't care." Let's face it, a guy could spend the rest of his life making things absolutely flawless, but you want to drive this car sometime in this Century, and also not be afraid to actually USE it. That is the mindset I am in too, I know there will be flaws, but "at this point, I really don't care."

I know you have some ill feelings about the Gibbon body, but with all the work you have put into it, the car looks spectacular. Can't wait to see the finished product. (Bet you can't either )

Don

Looks fantastic,
Brad

Way to go Jack, you are like the Energizer Bunny! The car looks great!

Pat

Guess I've been missing this thread,too.

Your car looks very nice!

Mike

Looks good! I was wondering how it was going. I must have missed this thread when you posted it a while back.

I've been thinking of doing a '33/'34 coupe for my next project. Is there much in the way of leg room in these for tall people, say 6'-4" or so...? I really like the lines on these cars. I might have to go with a '32 Tudor and sit in the back

Originally Posted by 53fatfndr

Looks good! I was wondering how it was going. I must have missed this thread when you posted it a while back.

I've been thinking of doing a '33/'34 coupe for my next project. Is there much in the way of leg room in these for tall people, say 6'-4" or so...? I really like the lines on these cars. I might have to go with a '32 Tudor and sit in the back

If you don't channel the car, and don't put in a big-block so that the firewall is pushed way back, it shouldn't be a problem. If the car isn't channelled, the floor is pretty flat. You'd have to be careful about the chop, though.

Originally Posted by Henry Rifle

If you don't channel the car, and don't put in a big-block so that the firewall is pushed way back, it shouldn't be a problem. If the car isn't channelled, the floor is pretty flat. You'd have to be careful about the chop, though.

Thanks for the feedback. No big block, just a 302. I would probably have to stay away from the chop or put a moon roof in and stick my head out the top...

Keep us posted on your progress, it looks great

Finished the wiring. Everything works . . . first try.